ECF Cityfarm

Efficient vegetable and fish production in an urban environment

ECF STADTFARM

Picture: Photo collage of the ECF Center on the grounds of the Malzfabrik Berlin


The Efficient ECF Cityfarm

The ECF Cityfarm enables vegetable, herb and fish production within an urban environment.

The result is year-round sustainable food production with high resource efficiency and exemplary environmental standards.

Ideal for all city farmers: restauranteurs, hoteliers, supermarkets, architects, schools and universities.


Advantages of the ECF Cityfarm

  • Sustainable production of local vegetables and fish
  • Elimination of environmentally harmful transport routes and cold chains
  • Transparent production process
  • Synergistic effects of using waste heat allows year-round cultivation
  • Economic and environmental protection go hand in hand



Development and Quality Assurance

The ECF farm systems are a product of Efficient City Farming in cooperation with the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB www.igb-berlin.de) and its scientists and experts from aquaculture and eco-physiology.

All research results flow automatically into the quality assurance of the ECF farm systems.


Plan your ECF Cityfarm with us

As consultants, we advise restauranteurs, architects, builders, hoteliers and supermarkets in the area of urban farming and building integrated agriculture.

ECF vegetable, herb & fish farms can be applied to flat roofs or can be built on stilts as a parking lot roof.

» to the ECF sectoral planning



ASTAF PRO inside


Aquaponic ASTAF pro inside by Leibniz Institut IGB

Our ECF Cityfarm (ECF = Efficient City Farming) with the highly efficient Aquaponic system ASTAF pro of the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB www.igb-berlin.de) enables vegetable, herb and fish production with minimal water consumption and a neutral CO2 footprint.

The metabolic products of the fish are converted within the ECF biofilter into valuable fertilizer. The water from the fish circulation is used again for the plants. A patented system regulates the water and nutrient level for the plants. Hence, the water is recycled, and the metabolic products from the fish serve as a natural plant fertilizer. Additionally, the plants also bind the CO2 produced in fish farming.

Due to this integrated arrangement of aquaculture and hydroponics and the dual usage of water, up to 50% of this valuable resource can be saved.


Project ECF Rooftop Farm


Picture: Photo Collage of the Rooftopfarm

The Rooftop Farm of the Malzfabrik is an ECF Cityfarm that will be built on an area of 8400 yd2. The rooftop greenhouse will be built on an area of 4800 yd2. The remaining 3600 yd2 will be used for the fish production. 22 historical tanks that were formerly used to soak the malt are being transformed into fish basins.



ERNA | Competence Network

Efficient City Farming is the initiator of the competence network ERNA (ERnährung NAchhaltig / SUstainable DIet). ERNA consists of experts in hydroponics, aquaculture and alternative energy generation systems, as well as scientists, engineers, marketing experts, politicians, journalists and investors. ERNA allows a scientific exchange in the field of a sustainable and CO2-neutral diet.


Feasibility study of the Technical University Berlin

In September 2011 the TU Berlin decided to develop a feasibility study on an ECF Cityfarm. The study project is called “building-based agriculture – opportunities for implementation on a site in Berlin” under the direction of Prof. Dr. Dietrich Henckel. The results will improve the efficiency of the ECF Cityfarm.

For hotel and restaurant owners, entrepreneurs and city farmers:

Make a mark for sustainable food production:

  • A profound commitment for the environment and climate change
  • Reach your own sustainable aims
  • Become part of the growing urban farming community